|Date: May 17, 1992
|Venue: Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum |City: Jacksonville, Florida
|Attendance: 6,000 |Buys: 105,000

|tweet me: @BastionBlogger

There’s a quick opening video package focused on the main event before Tony Schiavone and Eric Bischoff welcomes us to Wrestlewar. They then throw to Jim Ross and Jesse Ventura at ringside.

Greg “The Hammer” Valentine & The Taylor Made Man (c) vs. The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael “PS” Hayes & Jimmy Garvin) – United States Championship match

Background: On the April 11 episode of Saturday Night, Terry Taylor and Greg Valentine defeated The Freebirds (Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin) in a two out of three falls match to retain the United States Tag Team Championship. Two weeks later, on the April 25 episode of Saturday Night, Eric Bischoff announced that Taylor and Valentine would be defending the titles against Hayes and Garvin at WrestleWar.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first ever PLE match between these two tag teams.

WrestleWar Record: Terry Taylor is 1-0, Michael Hayes is 2-1, Jimmy Garvin is 1-1 and Greg Valentine wrestles at this event for the first time tonight.

Match: Michael Hayes and Terry Taylor kick off the match. It’s not long before Taylor tags out and Valentine goes at it with Hayes. Hayes has the better of Valentine, dictating the pace. Michael Hayes, as well as Rick Steiner are expected to be the only men to have wrestled on all four WrestleWar events. Jimmy Garvin tags in and continues to dictate the pace. Both teams make quick tags, especially The Freebirds who make very quick tags, keeping Taylor away from Valentine. The champions eventually take control by throwing Garvin out of the ring. The champions dominate until Garvin makes the hot tag to Hayes. All four men then go at it and Taylor hits Hayes with a fivearm for a near fall. Taylor hits Hayes with a gutwrench powerbomb for a near fall. Lots of quick tags from the champions now keeping PS Hayes away from his partner. Jimmy eventually gets the hot tag and picks up the pace. All four men get into it, Garvin hits a DDT on Taylor and hooks the leg for the three!

Result: The Fabulous Freebirds win the US Tag Team Championships by pinfall.

Review: This was a really solid tag team match to kick things off. The FReebirds put their all into it, they were a sweaty mess by the end of it. I enjoyed this though, four veterans that put on a good match. Nothing fancy, just a classic wrestling match. I wasn’t expecting new champions tonight but I don’t mind it at all.

Rating: 6.75/10

Johnny B. Badd vs. Tracy Smothers

Previous PPV matches: This is a first PPV match between these two men.

WrestleWar Record: Tracy Smothers is 1-0, Johnny B. Badd wrestles at this event for the first time tonight.

Match: Johnny B. Badd takes the advantage in the early going, wrestling a quick pace. There’s plenty of arm drags and dropkicks from the charismatic superstar. Smothers gets back into it with some jabs and a backrake. Smothers hits a big reverse elbow off the top rope for a two count. Johnny hits a running high knee, some jabs, a powerslam and a sunset flip off the top before knocking Smothers out with a big left hand for the victory.

Result: Johnny B. Badd wins by pinfall.

Review: This was a decent enough match from these two men. Tracy Smothers looked impressive with his offence. There was only ever going to be one winner though, Johnny B. Badd wins with a big left hand.

Rating: 5.75/10

Missy Hyatt is backstage with The Fabulous Freebirds and Precious who celebrate their victory. They want the NWA Tag Team Championships and WCW Tag Team Championships too.

Marcus Alexander Bagwell vs. Scotty Flamingo

Previous PPV matches: This is a first as it is a PPV debut for Scotty Flamingo.

WrestleWar Record: Both men wrestle at this event for the first time tonight.

Match: It’s a cagey start to the match until the two men exchange slaps and it breaks down. It’s back and forth from here, a bit of a scrappy match lacking in wrestling moves. Flamingo takes control, slowing down the pace a little. Flamingo hits a cross body and both men go tumbling to the outside. Bagwell takes control from here, picking the pace back up and hitting a fishermans suplex for a near fall. Flamingo then reverses a roll-up and pulls the tights to get the three count!

Result: Scotty Flamingo wins by pinfall.

Review: This was an ok match. Two young stars in the company in a back and forth match. I enjoyed how it started cagey until the slaps upped the tempo. Scotty Flamingo gets the big win tonight and will probably get a light heavyweight title match down the line.

Rating: 4/10

There’s an advert for the next PPV, Beach Blast.

We’re shown some footage from SuperBrawl with The Junkyard Dog saving Ron Simmons from an attack courtesy of Abdullah The Butcher and Cactus Jack.

We get ready for the next match but Cactus Jack attacks Junkyard Dog as he’s making his entrance and throws him into the side of the entrance ramp before diving off with a big elbow drop. Junkyard Dog gets carried out of the arena but Ron Simmons returns to action! He takes out both opponents with a clothesline, sending them sprawling out of the ring. It appears that we’re going to have a singles match!

Ron Simmons vs. Mr Hughes

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time match between these two men.

WrestleWar Record: Ron Simmons is 0-1 and Mr Hughes is 0-1.

Match: Ron Simmons is pumped up early and he sends Hughes out of the ring. Back in the ring and Mr Hughes takes control. He hits a powerslam and a kneedrop for a two count. Simmons starts a comeback and hits a big spinebuster! Cactus Jack gets in the ring but Simmons takes him out and then hits a three point block on Mr hughes for the victory!

Result: Ron Simmons wins by pinfall.

Review: This was a bit of a slow one. I’m not really sure what the point of all this was, I would have preferred to have seen the tag team match I think but this was a big win for Simmons none the less.

Rating: 3/10

Todd Champion vs. The Super Invader

Previous PPV matches: This is a first PPV match between these two men.

WrestleWar Record: Both men wrestle at this event for the first time tonight.

Match: The Super Invader is Hercules under a mask. He has Harley Race in his corner and goes right to work on Champion. Invader dominates for a long time, hitting a sidewalk slam and choking Todd. Invader hits a side suplex and a snapmare before applying a chinlock. He then throws Champion out of the ring and into the security railing before slamming him outside. Super Invader comes off the top but Champion gets his foot up. This hasn’t been good. Invader drops Champion on the top rope and then hits a powerbomb for the three.

Result: Super Invader wins by pinfall.

Review: This was poor. Two big, cumbersome guys with little chemistry. I think I’d have booked Champion to win. Slow, miscommunications, not good.

Rating: 2/10

Big Josh vs. Richard Morton

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time singles PPV match between these two men.

WrestleWar Record: Richard Morton is 2-0, Big Josh wrestles at this event for the first time tonight.

Match: Big Josh dominates early, using his power. Morton gets back into it, ripping Josh’s shirt off his back. Morton hits a belly to back suplex and an inverted atomic drop. Big Josh hits a powerslan and elbow drop for a two count. This match has a slow pace to it. Josh hits a couple of suplexes for near falls and then the northern exposure for the three. Bit of a strange finish, the referee didn’t really count the three.

Result: Big Josh wins by pinfall.

Review: This was a slow match with a confusing finish. Big Josh gets the win in a match that could’ve gone either way.

Rating: 2.5/10

We’re shown some footage of Z-Man and Brian Pillman getting into a heated argument on Saturday Night.

Flyin’ Brian (c) vs. Z-Man – Light Heavyweight Championship match

Background: Z-Man was announced as Flyin’ Brians next opponent for the Light Heavyweight Championship and since then the two have had a verbal confrontation. Two former tag team partners meet one on one tonight.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first match between these two former partners.

WrestleWar Record: Both men are 1-1 at this event.

Match: I wouldn’t be surprised to see a heel turn in this one. There’s some nice wrestling between the two in the early going. It’s very back and forth and has a quick pace to it. There’s lots of counters and changes in pace. Pillman targets the legs of Z-Man whilst Z-man works on the back of Flyin’ Brian. Z-Man hits a suplex for as two count. Pillman applies a figure four but Z-Man reverses it and the hold is broken when they both reach the ropes. Pillman looks to dive in off the apron but Z-Man counters with a powerslam for a near fall. Z-Man uses some power moves but can’t keep Pillman down. Z-Man’s leg keeps buckling under him. Brian goes to the top but Z-Man gets his boot up. Z-Man looks for a dropkick off the top but Pillman sidesteps and then pins Zenk for the victory!

Result: Brian Pillman retains the Light Heavyweight Championship by pinfall.

Review: After a run of poor matches, it was nice to get back on track with this one. It had a good pace to it, was back and forth and contested between two men who can actually wrestle. I like Pillman and I’m glad he picked up the win. There’s plenty of contenders for his title.

Rating: 6.5/10

There’s another ad for Beach Blast.

The Steiner Brothers (Rick & Scott) vs. Takayuki Iizuka & Tatsumi Fujinami – IWGP Championship number one contenders match

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time PPV match between these two teams.

WrestleWar Record: Rick Steiner is 2-1, Scott Steiner is 1-1, Fujinami and Iizuka wrestle at this event for the first time tonight.

Match: Scott Steiner and Fujinami kick off the match. It’s back and forth to start the match but Scott Steiner soon takes control. Iizuka tags in and takes control, hitting some high impact moves including a top rope elbow and a bowling ball off the top. This is a 20th consecutive PPV for Rick Steiner. Ric Flair has the longest record with 24 PPV’s. Scott Steiner uses his power and hits a gutwrench powerbomb before holding Iizuka up on his shoulders and tagging in Rick who comes in off the top with an elbow. Fujinami tags back in but Rick Steiner continues to keep the advantage. The Japanese look for a doomsday device but Rick counters it with a big powerslam. Fujinami tags in and applies a leg grapevine. Both men make tags and Scott hits a tilt-a-whirl. The Steiner dominate for a while, making quick tags and keeping Iizuki from tagging out.

All four men get into it and the Japanese take control. It’s a real back and forth match from there. Fujinami and Iizuka hit a spike piledriver on Scott Steiner. Fujinami then applies a dragon sleeper but Scott gets to the ropes. The two men collide and then tag out a fresh Rick Steiner picks up the pace. All four men get into it. Rick hits a belly to belly off the top on Iizuka and pins him for the win!

Result: The Steiner Brothers win by pinfall.

Review: This was a fun match. A really hard-hitting contest between four great athletes. The Steiner Brothers pick up the win and a future IWGP tag team championship match.

Rating: 7.75/10

Tony Schiavone and Eric Bischoff talk up the main event.

Sting’s Squadron (Sting, Barry Windham, Dustin Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat & Nikita Koloff) vs. The Dangerous Alliance (Rick Rude, Stunning Steve Austin, Bobby Eaton, Arn Anderson & Larry Zbyszko – War Games

Background: On the March 7 episode of World Championship Wrestling, Sting discussed his potential contenders for his World Heavyweight title during a SuperBrawl II press conference until Dangerous Alliance interrupted him and Rude threw a drink in Sting’s face which led to a brawl between Sting and Dangerous Alliance and Nikita Koloff made his return to WCW by coming to Sting’s rescue. Steamboat continued his feud with Rude while Windham and Rhodes also resumed their rivalry with Austin and Zbyszko. On the March 21 episode of Worldwide, Big Van Vader attacked Sting after his match, causing Sting to suffer a rib injury and be out of action. Koloff would reveal his allegiance to Sting on the April 25 episode of Saturday Night by considering Sting, his favorite wrestler. This would lead to a WarGames match between Sting’s Squadron (Sting, Nikita Koloff, Barry Windham, Dustin Rhodes and Ricky Steamboat against Dangerous Alliance at WrestleWar.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first match involving these ten men.

WrestleWar Record: Sting is 1-1, Barry Windham is 1-0, Dustin Rhodes is 1-0, Ricky Steamboat is 0-1, Bobby Eaton is 1-1, Arn Anderson is 1-0, Larry Zbyszko is 1-0 and Nikita Koloff, Rick Rude and Steve Austin all make their WrestleWar debut tonight.

Match: Stunning Steve Austin and Barry Windham kick off the match. Windham recently beat Austin for the TV title. Windham dominates for much of the opening stages, busting Austin open on the cage. There’s a coin toss to decide which teams enters next, The Dangerous Alliance win and in comes Rick Rude. Rude and Windham dominate for the next two minutes against Barry Windham. Ricky Steamboat enters next to a huge pop. He lays into Rick Rude and Steve Austin as the crowd explode. Arn Anderson is next in and he lays out his former partner Barry Windham before hitting Steamboat with a spinebuster. Anderson and Rude apply a double Boston crab to Steamboat. The Dangerous Alliance dominate this segment of the match until Dustin Rhodes enters and evens the odds. Rhodes hits an electric chair drop to Austin as Steamboat applies a Boston crab and then a figure four to Rude.

Larry Zbyszko enters next but Dustin Rhodes meets him with right hands. Maduse is then shown climbing on top of the cage and she drops the telephone into the cage. Arn Anderson uses the phone as a weapon on Windham and Steamboat. Sting is the next man in and the crowd love it. Sting bench presses Rick Rude off the top of the cage and then lays into the rest of The Dangerous Alliance. I’ll be shocked if Zbyszko doesn’t take the fall in this one. Bobby Eaton is next in, last for his team. Dustin Rhodes is pissing blood. Zbyszko and Rude look like they’re loosening a turnbuckle. Nikita Koloff finally enters the match so the match beyond can officially begin. Koloff helps Sting to his feet and then takes a hit for the World Champion. Koloff and Sting dominate Austin and Anderson and the crowd are hot for it. Sting hits a Stinger splash on Anderson and then applies the scorpion deathlock but Bobby Eaton breaks it up. A top turnbuckle has become unscrewed now. Rhodes applies a figure four to Zbyszko but Rick Rude breaks it up.

All ten men continue to go at it. Larry Zbyszko looks to nail Sting with the steel hook from the turnbuckle but Sting moves and Larry nails Beautiful Bobby. Sting then applies an armbar to Bobby Eaton and it’s all over! The Dangerous Alliance are furious with Larry Zbyszko

Result: Sting’s Squadron win by submission.

Review: This was a brilliant match. I loved this up until the finish which was a bit anticlimactic. Sting’s Squadron got the predictable win though and this could be the beginning of the end for the Dangerous Alliance. There was loads of blood, loads of stories within the match and there’ll be lots of unfinished business. I’d love to see Rick Rude get a shot at the World Championship. Steve Austin looked great in this match too and would make for a great United States Champion down the line.

Rating: 8.5/10

And that was WrestleWar 1992. It was a show of two halves. I’m not sure that’s totally fair actually because the opener was a good one. The Freebirds win the US Tag Team Championships in front of a hot crowd. I don’t mind this, I like the Freebirds and they’re a good babyface team at the moment. From here the show slowly went downhill for a couple of hours. Johnny B. Badd beat Tracy Smothers in a match that wasn’t terrible but I struggled to care about. Scotty Flamingo beat Marcus Alexander Bagwell in a battle between newcomers, Ron Simmons beat Mr Hughes in a poor match and then Super Invader defeated Todd Champion in an awful contest. Big Josh then beat Richard Morton in another bad match before the show turned a corner.

Flyin’ Brian and Z-Man put on a good match. There was a fair bit of chemistry between the two friends and Z-Man did come across as the heel in the match. Brian Pillman had to win though and did to retain his title. The Steiner Brothers then beat Iizuka and Fujinami in a really good tag team match. It was hard-hitting, well paced and just a very good tag team match. Then in the main event we got a really good War Games match. I’m not a massive War Games fan but this was one of the better matches of this type. Larry Zbyszko cost his team the match in the end and it’s a matter of time until he’s booted out of The Dangerous Alliance. A really solid main event.

Overall Rating: 51.9/100 (ranked 17th out of 30 WCW/NWA PPV’s reviewed so far)

Match Of The Night: War Games
Worst Match Of The Night: Todd Champion vs. The Super Invader
Surprise Of The Night: The Freebirds win the US Tag Team Championships
Worst Booking Of The Night: Everything surrounding the Ron Simmons/Mr Hughes match
Superstar Of The Night: Sting’s Squadron
WrestleWar 92 Will Be Remembered For: Sting’s Squadron vs. The Dangerous Alliance